Peru: Prisons and the right to health

Wednesday, 23 March 2011

The Peruvian prison environment is one of the most neglected, despite national and international laws that protect the fundamental rights of persons deprived of their liberty. The prison population worldwide and in Peru has increased significantly in recent years and this has become one of the most important factors that promote the violation of their rights.

In 2008-2009 Edhucasalud conducted a study in two prisons in order to describe and analyze the access to and quality of health-care services provided to the prison population from a human rights perspective. The study was carried out in two prisons in Lima, the men’s prison of Lurigancho and the Chorrillos women’s prison of Santa Monica. A short Executive Summary of the results is now available in English.

The European Parliament recently published a report on the effects of the economic crisis and resulting austerity measures on various rights. With regards to the right to health, the report shows that the reforms have negatively affected the right to health.